Winter 2023

2023 was truly a year of growth and progress for the Csomay Center. In this newsletter, we will share highlights of the year which provide evidence that we remain focused on our mission to advance innovations in research, education and practice to promote optimal aging and quality of life in older adults and their caregivers. 

As you scroll down through our pictures and stories you will discover that we expanded the number of faculty, trainees, and students that we serve. We advanced our research mission by awarding over $150,000 in grants. We expanded the amount of community outreach in 3 very diverse areas- the arts, long-term care, and wellness events. We advanced by adding key staff and interprofessional university leaders. But none of this would have been possible without the backing of our friends and supporters. 

We are deeply grateful to each one of you that made 2023 a banner year for achieving the Csomay Center vision that every older adult receives the care they want, when they want.

Harleah G. Buck, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAHA, FAAN

Sally Mathis Hartwig Professor in Gerontological Nursing

Director of the Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence

University of Iowa College of Nursing

Over the past year, the Csomay Center has seen immense growth and progress. We are proud to share the highlights: 

The Csomay Community of Scholars Spring Luncheon in May 2023.

Increased the Csomay Community of Scholars to 75 members and hosted seminars on community engagement. 

Engaged with 9 students from across the University to advance the Center's mission. A few of the opportunities included:

Samantha Wittrock, Harleah Buck, and Misty Brooks at the MNRS Conference in Des Moines.

Melanie Tan-Duong and mentor, Chooza Moon (College of Nursing) at the Summer Undergraduate Research Fair where Melanie presented her summer project.

Established the Geri Hall Clinical Leader in Residence program thanks to the generous gift of Dan Hall, Geri’s husband.  

Misty Brooks, BSN; RN, CMSRN, a current College of Nursing DNP student named the inaugural Leader.

Worked with Alaa Harb, a College of Nursing PhD Student over the summer to support Center initiatives.  

This opportunity was made possible by the College of Nursing and through a gift from John Bowers.

Matched 3 undergraduate scholars with summer research experiences (representing nursing, public health, and biomedical engineering) in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Supported local initiatives through sponsorships:

Two Stanley Sage Senior Living Communities events at the Stanley Museum. 

Sponsor and vendor at the Johnson County Healthy Aging Fair.

Sponsor and vendor at the Caregiver Wellness Day in Cedar Rapids.

Participated in 20 community events with more than 500 interactions with the public. 

Developed a robust partner network with more than 120 partners across the country. 

Amanda Lensing (Stanley Sage), Alicia Velasquez (The House of DOTŁ’IZI), and Jennifer Jones at Alicia's Stanley Sage presentation in June 2023.

Wen Liu, Jennifer Jones, Harleah Buck, and Shalome Tonelli at the Leading Age Iowa Conference in Cedar Rapids.

Added two new members to the Csomay Center Leadership Team.

Scott Larson

Carver College of Medicine 

Leonardo Marchini

College of Dentistry 

Susan Cui

Administrative Communications Coordinator

Susan Cui joined Csomay Center at the end of October 2023. As the Administrative and Communications Coordinator. Cui will be creating content for social media and helping with administrative tasks.

Susan Cui's previous work was with the College of Pharmacy here at The University of Iowa, where she worked in the Professional Experience

Program office as an Administrative Services Coordinator. Before coming to the University she was a News Reporter in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Masaki Nawa

Masaki Nawa worked for The Csomay Center on GeriatricPain.org this past fall semester. His contributions and knowledge helped move the project forward to update the GeriatricPain.org content to reflect current evidence.

We asked Masaki some questions so you can get to know the student who worked behind the screen.

Where are you from? I'm from Weston, Massachusetts, but I was born in Okayama, Japan, and spent my early years in Tokyo until I started kindergarten. After living in Massachusetts for four years, I returned to Nagoya, Japan after third grade and lived there until I began my sophomore year in high school. I've been living in Weston since I came to the US for the second time.

What are you studying at Iowa? I'm studying finance and business analytics at the Tippie College of Business.



What are some of your hobbies outside of work and school? I usually spend my weekends chatting and watching movies with friends. During Major League Baseball’s regular season, I enjoy watching Shohei Ohtani play.

Thank you, Masaki, for all the work you have done!

Dr. Jim Kimball was recently honored with the Eight over 80 award in May 2023. Kimball, an alumnus of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, received this award for his dedication and service to his community. Dr. Kimball lives in Osceola, IA but grew up just down the road in Murry. When starting his medical journey, Kimball wanted to go into Cardiovascular Surgery but found himself in a specialty that allowed him to serve his community, Family Practice.

After graduating from medical school Kimball made his way to

Osceola and started his practice. Kimball says,

that in life, "it is important to be honest with yourself and your patients. Be

transparent and don't hold anything back."

Kimball finds that conversation and relationships are crucial to

living optimally. He is a part of a coffee group in his community that he meets and visits with during the morning time. The group discusses current events and what is going on in their lives.

When asked what made Kimball feel like he was living his best

life, he said, his work. He never felt like he was working while with a

patient, he only felt joy when he was helping someone live their best life.

Dr. Jim Kimball still resides in Osceola, Iowa, and continues to be involved with his community.

The Thoreson Optimal Aging Initiative and the Csomay Center are proud sponsors of the Meals on Wheels December holiday 2023 meals.

Wheels Holiday Meals (140) in Johnson County, a program of Horizons, offers hot or frozen meals to help older adults and persons with disabilities meet their nutritional needs. This holiday sponsorship fed 140 seniors in Johnson County on Christmas. We are grateful for resources like the Thoreson Initiative and the programming at Horizons that make food security a priority for those in need. 

Samantha Wittrock, Susan Cui, Harleah Buck, and Jennifer Jones at the check presentation at Meals on Wheels.

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